Ministry of Industry and Information Technology: Conduct commercial trials for satellite Internet of Things services to support the safe and healthy development of emerging industries such as commercial aerospace and low-altitude economy.

On October 10th, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) publicly solicited opinions on the "MIIT Notice on Organizing Commercial Trials of Satellite Internet of Things (IoT) Services (Draft for Soliciting Opinions)". The notice mentions that through conducting commercial trials of satellite IoT services, it aims to enrich the supply of satellite communication services, stimulate market vitality, enhance industry service capabilities, establish a security supervision system, form replicable and scalable experiences and models, support the safe and healthy development of emerging industries such as commercial aerospace and low-altitude economy, and help build a new development pattern. The text of the original notice is as follows: MIIT Notice on Organizing Commercial Trials of Satellite Internet of Things (IoT) Services (Draft for Soliciting Opinions) To the provincial, autonomous region, and municipal communications authorities, and relevant enterprises: The development of satellite IoT is an important measure to implement the decisions and arrangements of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and to support the development of the commercial aerospace industry and other industries. It is of great significance for further comprehensive deepening of reform, nurturing and creating new productive forces. In accordance with the relevant requirements of the "MIIT Guiding Opinions on Optimizing Business Access to Promote the Development of the Satellite Communications Industry", commercial trials of satellite IoT services are now being organized to support the standardized and healthy development of satellite IoT services. The relevant matters are notified as follows. 1. Commercial Trial Objectives Satellite IoT services refer to low-speed data services that use satellite communication technology to connect various IoT devices, providing wide-area IoT connectivity for data collection terminals, wearable devices, handheld terminals, various terminals, as well as vehicles such as cars, ships, and aircraft. By conducting commercial trials of satellite IoT services, it aims to enrich the supply of satellite communication services, stimulate market vitality, enhance industry service capabilities, establish a security supervision system, form replicable and scalable experiences and models, support the safe and healthy development of emerging industries such as commercial aerospace and low-altitude economy, and help build a new development pattern. 2. Trial Application Approval (a) Application Conditions The objects of commercial trials of satellite IoT services are enterprises that meet the conditions. These enterprises provide satellite IoT services by building a satellite IoT constellation, establishing customer service systems, billing and accounting support systems, etc. Enterprises applying to conduct commercial trials of satellite IoT services should meet the following conditions based on the relevant provisions of the "Telecommunications Regulations of the People's Republic of China," the "Regulations on the Administration of Radio Stations of the People's Republic of China," and the "Telecom Business Operating License Management Measures": 1. The enterprise is a legally established company; 2. It has the necessary funds and professional personnel suitable for conducting business activities; 3. It has the necessary venues and facilities, and its satellite IoT constellation should comply with the relevant provisions of the "Regulations on the Administration of Investment Projects of Enterprises"; 4. It has the credibility or ability to provide long-term services to users; 5. It has a scientifically sound commercial trial plan that meets the requirements for network operation security assurance, service quality, code resource management, network and data security management, important communications, real-name registration management, prevention and control of telecommunications network fraud, radio security management, and other security technology measures; 6. Other conditions stipulated by the state. (b) Approval Procedure Enterprises applying to conduct commercial trials of satellite IoT services should submit application materials and relevant supporting documents to the local communications administration. After the initial review by the local communications administration, they will recommend the application to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) [Bureau of Information and Communication]. MIIT will review the application materials in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, organize expert evaluations and demonstrations, and issue approval for eligible enterprises to conduct commercial trials. 3. Business Operation Requirements Enterprises should fulfill their primary responsibilities and comply with the following requirements to carry out commercial trials in accordance with laws and regulations, providing satellite IoT services nationwide or across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. 1. Build and open satellite IoT services systems, comply with requirements for network operation security, service quality, code resource management, etc., and ensure smooth network communication; 2. Reserve satellite communication resources as required by MIIT, and provide emergency communication support; 3. Safeguard users' rights to information and choice, and provide satellite IoT services to users after signing contracts; 4. Comply with regulations on terminal equipment directly connected to satellite services, and access and use telecommunications equipment with network access licenses in accordance with laws and regulations; 5. If using eSIM for IoT cards, conduct a special review and obtain approval from MIIT before implementation; 6. Submit relevant business data as required by MIIT, access the Industrial Internet Identification Resolution System, support Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6), and support satellite IoT full lifecycle management; 7. Implement network security and data security management, important communications, real-name registration management, prevention and control of telecommunications network fraud, and other related requirements in accordance with the characteristics of satellite IoT services, strengthen business and security management; 8. Comply with radio safety management requirements, regulate radio frequency usage behavior, effectively utilize radio spectrum resources, and avoid harmful interference to other legally used radio frequency bands; 9. Conduct a comprehensive review of satellite IoT service application scenarios, classify and refine specific management measures, and timely, comprehensively, and accurately submit information on business application scenarios and operations to MIIT. 4. Trial Exit Mechanism Enterprises that have obtained approval for commercial trials must provide services on time. If they fail to do so, or if there are serious violations of laws and regulations, MIIT may revoke the approval and qualification for commercial trials in accordance with laws and regulations. Exit enterprises should protect the legitimate rights and interests of users in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, and properly handle matters such as user migration and network disconnection. 5. Organizational Management Support As the telecommunications management department, MIIT is responsible for organizing and implementing the commercial trials of satellite IoT services and summarizing evaluations. Local communications administrations serve as local telecommunications management agencies and establish sound management support mechanisms to recommend, manage, guide, and supervise the satellite IoT service commercial trials of local enterprises. During the recommendation and "double random, one public" inspections, they conduct on-site inspections of business situations, financial situations, venue facilities, personnel situations, etc., and timely report relevant information and issues. 6. Commercial Trial Summary The trial period is two years. Enterprises that have obtained approval for commercial trials should summarize and report the commercial trial status and issues to MIIT annually. MIIT will evaluate the commercial trial status, promptly summarize advanced experiences, models, and typical cases of commercial trials, and promote them. Commercial trial work will begin from the date of this notice. Based on the progress of the commercial trials, MIIT will timely improve relevant policies and study the formal implementation of satellite IoT services. This article is excerpted from the MIIT official website. Gsonor Editor: Chen Wenfang.